Radiator shutter



July 9,1935. K, FRBES www RADIATOR SHUTTER Filed Feb. 13, 1932 in a radiator shutter of the Patented July 9, 1935 l Kingsto'nForbes, Flint, Michzgiassignor to General v Motors `C,orlmratiomlDetroit,l\'[ich., a` corporation ofDelaWareff-i In its broadest aspect, this invention resides type used on automotive vehicles which is rendered distinctive and pleasing in appearance by the presence, throughout the whole exposed length of the blades and the upper and lower dummy plates, of continuous vertical lines of contrasting colors when the shutter is opened as well as when itis closed.

To obtain the distinctive and pleasing appearance' referred to in the preceding paragraph, I have found it desirable to employ shutter blades and dummy plates which differ in construction from those used prior to the date of my invention, and which have certain highly desirable features of construction which render them of peculiar value, even in shutters in which the distinctive and pleasing appearance hereinbefore referred to is not a feature.

For a better understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference is made to the following specication in whichis described the preferred embodiment of my in-r vention, which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

In the accompanying drawing:` f

Figure l is a front elevation, with parts broken away and in section, of a radiator shutter in which is embodied my invention installed in the radiator of an automotive vehicle.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 2.-2 of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary View, mainly in section on the line 3--3 of Figure l;

Figure lis a fragmentary section taken on the line 4--4 of Figure l.

` Figure 5 is a fragmentary view, mainly in section on the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

In the drawing, there is shown a radiator of the type which is commonly used on automotive vehicles, and which includes a core (not shown) and a shell I8 which surrounds the core and is provided with a front flangel I I which defines the boundaries of an opening through which cooling air may obtain access to the core. The reference character I2 indicates a radiator shutter which is installed within the connes of the shell IU and marginally overlaps the inner edges of the ilange, II. The shutter includes a rectangular frame I3 consisting of lateral and end frame members I4 and l5 which dene a generally rectangular opening in which a plurality of vertically disposed, pivotally mounted shutter blades IB are located. On the upper end of each of the shutter blades, there is formed an ear Il. Allv of the ears I1 are pivotally connected to a connecting rod I8 which through mechanism, such as that indicated by the reference character I9, is adapted to be operated by a thermostat or a manually actuated device and the spring 20 to move the shutter blades from the positions in which they areshown in solid lines in Figure 3, in which they overlap and prevent access oi' air to the radiator core, to that in which they are shown in dotted lines in Figure V3, in which they are separated by relatively large spaces through which cooling air may vobtain access to the radiator core, and vice versa.

On each of the end frame members I5, there is formed a vertically disposed flange 2| which constitutes the base element of a dummy plate which bridges the gap between the frame member and the adjacent portion of the flange II. In each of the elements 2 I there are formed a number of relatively narrow, vertically disposed corrugations 22 whosey concave rear surfaces, in 'conjunction With the concave portions of a corrugated strip 23 which is secured to the inner portion of the rear side of each of the elements 2|, form journals into which the pintles 24 of .the shutter blades are adapted to be inserted through openings formed in the inner ange of the base element. Over the front face of the base element of each of the dummy plates, there is disposed a cover element 25 which consists of a plate having inner and outer flanges which embrace and are secured to the corresponding flanges of the base element. In each of the` cover elements, there are formed a number of relatively wide corrugations 26 which are separated by slots 21 through which the corrugations 22 on the base element project. In the inner flange of each of the cover elements, there are provided a number of slots which register with the openings in the adjacent flange of the corresponding base element.

Each ofthe shutter blades consists of a strip of sheet metal of which one longitudinal edge is return-bent upon itself to form a hollow circular bead 28. The inner ends of the pintles 24 extend into and are secured within the ends of the beads 28. To rigidify and strengthen the blades and for another purpose hereinaftermentioned, there is provided a parti-tubular sleeve 29 which surrounds and snugly embraces the bead 28 throughout its length.

To obtain the distinctive and pleasing appearance hereinbefore referred to, I prefer to finish the cover elements of the dummy plates, the bodies of the blades and the core of the radiator in black or in a color which matches or harmonizes with the color of the body of the vehicle on which the ,UNET-ED',STATES ley-PATENT. oFFlCE the bodies of the blades and/or the core, depend-.

ing upon the positions of the blades. It is-to be noted that since the narrow lines are in the 'axes of the blades, there will be no apparent shifting thereof upon movement of the blades, and since both the bodies of the blades and the core contrast in color with the sleeves 29, the spaces between the sleeves 29 will contrast in color with the sleeves irrespective of the positions of the fcme of whose longitudinal edges blades and, consequently, that the appearance of the front of the vehicle will not substantially change upon movement of the shutter blades.

Although I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that this has been done by way of example and not by way of limitation, and that the scope of my invention is to be determined only by the appended claim I claim: f

1. A shutter blade which consists of a body on there is provided a bead, and a sleeve which embraces and is xed on the bead. y 2. A shutter blade which consists of a body on one o1' whose longitudinal edges there is formed a bead vin which there is secured a pintle, and a sleeve embracing the bead.

KINGSTON FORBES. 

